GTPase regulator controls regenerative capacity in mouse teeth
Official title: A novel GTPase regulator governing the regenerative capacity of murine teeth
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11371173 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A gene regulator that controls how stem cells in teeth grow back and repair themselves in mice could inform regenerative dental therapies for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $350,350 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033676-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371173 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with dental conditions where tooth regeneration or repair is relevant and who may benefit from future regenerative therapies inspired by MSC regulation.
✕Less likely to help
People unlikely to benefit are those without dental regeneration needs or who are not potential candidates for stem cell–based therapies in the near term.
What this research studies
This project studies mesenchymal stem cells in mouse teeth to understand how they maintain their growth and how they respond to injury. Researchers use a new knockout mouse model to show that the gene Din (4930453N24Rik) controls important cell signals (RhoA and RAC1) that govern stem cell behavior, migration, and proliferation in dental tissue. They observe that removing Din disrupts incisor growth and impairs healing in both incisors and molars, with stem cells losing “stemness” and shifting toward aging and adipogenesis. The work combines genetic, cellular, and computational analyses to map how this regulator affects dental stem cell biology and regeneration.},{
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide new approaches to promote tooth regeneration and improve healing after dental injuries in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in stem cell biology show that GTPase regulators can influence regeneration, supporting a meaningful path forward, though the dental-specific findings are novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Xiaofang — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Wang, Xiaofang
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.